FRANCE and Germany have pledged to strengthen their alliance with a bilateral treaty that will be signed by Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel during a ceremony on January 22.

The new Treaty of Aachen will build on the 1963 Elysee Treaty, which has become the driving force behind the European Union’s most powerful internal relationship. The French President and German Chancellor will concluded during a symbolic ceremony in the town hall of German border city of Aachen. Both countries have pledged to “deepen their cooperation in foreign affairs, defence, external and internal security and development,” according to the treaty text.

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The pact also commits them to “work on strengthening the ability of Europe to act independently”.

Mr Macron’s office said the deal would act as an extension to their previous post-war reconciliation and would help both countries tackle “the challenges they will be confronted with in the 21st century”.

“We envisage deepening our engagement in favour of security and prosperity of our people in the framework of a more sovereign, united and democratic Europe,” a spokesman said.

As part of a German effort to secure greater global influence, the treaty sets out a diplomatic pledge to work towards Germany being accepted as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

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The treaty also further outlines closer cooperation between national intelligence services and police in fighting terrorism and organised crime, and a commitment to moving towards economic convergence.

Both states will deepen the integration of their economies towards a German-French economic area with common rules,” said the treaty text.

The newly refreshed bond will likely spark fury in Italy, whose nationalist government could interpret the pact as a move to block Rome from playing a larger role in EU industry.

France, with German backing, has requested the EU Commission to review the takeover of Chantiers de L'Atlantique, one of the world's largest shipyards, by Fincantieri, Italy's state-owned shipbuilding firm.

Brussels has announced it is "best placed" to delve into the potential cross-border implications of the takeover.

"The acquisition of Chantiers de l’Atlantique by Fincantieri will be fully examined by the Commission," the Brussels executive announced in a statement.